Keep the Change: Tales from the Aisles

We are one week away from Major League Baseball’s July 31st trade deadline. With seven days to go, the big name still fluttering around the rumor mill is Roy Halladay. On top of that, it was recently heard that Ruben Amaro has pulled the tag “untouchable” off of Kyle Drabek’s nameplate…what does this mean?

I’m not sure. However, I do think there are other areas of need: Specifically a right-handed bat off the bench, maybe a utility infielder and the always needed bullpen help.

Chad Durbin and J.C. Romero to the DL

Personally, I didn’t mind these two going on the disabled list too much. When Durbin is in and it is a big spot, it seems like it is only because the guys you want in there can’t go. And as for Romero, he simply couldn’t throw strikes.

In his 15.2 innings pitched since coming back from his suspension, Romero has walked 13 batters and only struck out 12. On top of that, the former left-handed specialist saw lefties hitting him at a .292 clip. Last year, left-handed bats hit a paltry .108 against him.

Hopefully two weeks away from the scene can fix any arm problems he might have, and J.C. can get back to the form that helped lock down the end of ball games last year.

Patchwork

While the two relievers mend their injuries, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Phillies made a move that flew a bit under the giving up the farm radar. With names like George Sherrill, Danys Baez and Chad Qualls floating around the news tap, there are many arms to be had.

Last year, the Phillies struck gold with Scott Eyre after the deadline had passed. Look for a similar type deal to go down shortly, one that doesn’t give up a top prospect for a player who will fill a role that will probably be unappreciated until its time to look back at the deals that made the biggest difference.

Takin’ to the seats

Over the past week, I polled 100 random fans I served beer to with two different questions. What would your response be?

What is the biggest reason for the Phillies latest hot streak?

Jimmy Rollins turnaround – 55%

Quality starting pitching – 31%

Return of Raul Ibanez – 8%

No reason at all – 6%

Guess it’s the old saying, as Rollins goes, so do the Phillies.

Would you give up Kyle Drabek, J.A. Happ and Michael Taylor for Roy Halladay?

Yes – 71%

No – 29%

Seven out of ten people pull the trigger…I’m still not sure if I do. One way or another, I won’t be upset. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be looking into the rumor mills on an hourly basis.

“Look for a similar type deal to go down shortly, one that doesn’t give up a top prospect for a player who will fill a role that will probably be unappreciated until its time to look back at the deals that made the biggest difference.” very true Nick, i think being able to make under the radar deals like these are the mark of a truly great GM. hopefully amaro has learned well from pat in this regard.

4:20pm: The Phillies are “fully determined” to acquire Halladay, while the Dodgers still have a small chance of acquiring him, according to Knobler. As for the Jays, one person involved says “it’s obvious that they have to move him now.”

4:05pm: The Jays could obtain a stronger supporting group if they were to accept J.A. Happ in place of Kyle Drabek in a possible trade, according to Heyman.

4:20pm: The Phillies are “fully determined” to acquire Halladay, while the Dodgers still have a small chance of acquiring him, according to Knobler. As for the Jays, one person involved says “it’s obvious that they have to move him now.”

4:05pm: The Jays could obtain a stronger supporting group if they were to accept J.A. Happ in place of Kyle Drabek in a possible trade, according to Heyman.

4:20pm: The Phillies are “fully determined” to acquire Halladay, while the Dodgers still have a small chance of acquiring him, according to Knobler. As for the Jays, one person involved says “it’s obvious that they have to move him now.”

4:05pm: The Jays could obtain a stronger supporting group if they were to accept J.A. Happ in place of Kyle Drabek in a possible trade, according to Heyman.

3:59pm: Knobler says the Brewers are “basically out” of the Halladay talks because they don’t want to give up Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel. Boston’s representatives also left Toronto today.

There is still a Phillie scout in Toronto tonight to watch Halladay pitch.

I will be very surprised if Halladay isn’t a Phillie by the end of July. Looking like maybe monday a deal could get through and happ should stay with phils and looks like a deal like Drabek, Taylor/Brown, Carrasco and Donald and another should get the job done.

I agree, that I will be disapointed to see Happ go, but I think hes gone. I think its hairbrained to let Happ go for Halladay honestly. Halladay is BIG BUCKS! He will go to Free Agency regardless of where he goes, and do what CC Sabathia did. Does getting rid of Happ to get Halladay increase the chances of a WS anymore? Get rid of Happ who is undefeated, to go with Halladay (I know he is an Ace, and is AWESOME). The way to increase the chances of a WS is to Keep Happ, and package around Drabek. Keep Halladay, Happ, Hamels, Blanton as the top 4.

I think the Phils would be crazy to give up Drabek. He is a top of the line prospect who most likely will be in the Phillies rotation next year or the year after.

Halladay is a great pitcher, but the Jay HAVE TO TRADE HIM, or his stock will go down and what they can get for him does. The Phillies can use that as leverage and give up more prospects but none of them being Drabek and maybe even Happ

You’re a big fat liar “Beerman” you have never polled even 10 fans in the seats let alone 100 fans. I’ve seen you sell beer in the seats and you barely have any conversation with the fans unless a player has just hit a homer or made a dumb play. All I ever see you do is express your dislike for beerman 79 and his so called shady tactics. I came here looking for “Tales from aisles” and real insight about what fans really might be saying. A pulse from the fans would be nice. Not another article analyzing the state of the team and some made up statistics . . . Yeah i’d like to see your notepad with 71 tic marks for the fans who said yes to that poll. You’re too concerned with making $22 a case plus tips to spend time writing tic marks in a steno pad. LOL nice try Fraudman, the should make you sell Budlite Lime just for this mockery!

Wow Walter really up on the copy paste you should get your own column dah! I’m still in strong belief that the Halladay trade is more like 30/70 no way jose’ Philly is still to cheap to make waves in their payroll…..they know all of us idiots still fill the seats every home game….if it was a bigger seating park maybe but not so at CBP….besides I really think Hamels will be pissed that he is not going to be #1 anymore…..Happ is already knocking at that door…although he got roughed up last night ….for really the first time…I think the chemistry of the team will fall apart if the trade is made.